Kwankwaso, Sowore kick as Peter Obi’s convoy is blocked in Benu
Isaac Samuel
The convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was on Tuesday blocked by protesters along the Gboko Road in Makurdi, Benue State, as he attempted to proceed into the state capital.
The incident occurred near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, where a group of youths reportedly barricaded the road and prevented Obi’s convoy from proceeding. Videos from the scene showed a crowd carrying sticks and chanting, “We don’t want Peter Obi.”
Obi, who later addressed journalists at the scene, said he had travelled to Benue to commiserate with communities affected by recent killings and had not come to the state for campaign activities.
The former Anambra State governor described the obstruction as unacceptable, saying Nigerians should be able to visit communities affected by violence and show solidarity with victims.
“I am here in a place where people have been killed. I am here to commiserate with them,” Obi said, according to reports of his remarks.
He further alleged that the youths blocking his movement were sponsored by an aide to the state governor.
The development has already triggered a dispute over whether the Benue State Government was aware of Obi’s visit.
The state government has distanced itself from the incident, with a government aide saying the government was not aware of Obi’s visit in the manner alleged.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, said the government was not aware of Obi’s visit to the state.
“We are not aware of his coming to the state, and if it were to be security agents that stopped him, it would have been easy for us to find out what happened.
“As presidential candidate of a party and former governor he is a property of federal government and ought to have been given security, where are those security agents around him and if he is going to any state, the security of the host state should know so as to provide security for him”.
The circumstances surrounding the mobilisation of the protesters, including who organised them and why they decided to prevent Obi from proceeding, remained unclear as of Tuesday afternoon.
There was also no immediate official police statement establishing the identity of those who blocked the road or confirming whether arrests had been made.
Obi said his purpose was to visit communities affected by the killings in Benue, particularly victims and families connected to the Yelwata violence.
Reports said his team had planned to proceed to Yelwata after passing through parts of the state. Obi had earlier stopped at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, where he interacted with residents and traders.
His visit comes amid continuing concerns over killings and insecurity in Benue, a state that has repeatedly experienced deadly attacks linked to communal and farmer-herder conflicts.
The confrontation also comes at a politically sensitive period, with preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering momentum.
The incident has already attracted condemnation from political figures.
Former Kano State governor and vice presidential candidate of the NDC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso condemned the blockade, describing the incident as a threat to democratic freedoms and calling for those responsible to be prosecuted.
He also urged the international community and election observers to take note of the development.
He said: “I am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State.
“The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy.
“Authorities must remember that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement. This right applies even more strongly to Mr Obi, a former governor and leading opposition figure.
“The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted. It must also guarantee the safety and free movement of our candidate and his entourage.
“I further urge the President to caution state governors, particularly those in his party against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy.
“I also call on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of this incident and to urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders, and safeguard democratic freedoms.
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also condemned the incident, describing the alleged blockade as political brigandage and calling it unacceptable.
